Fanous: A New Ecosystem Model to Legalize Anime Fansubbing and Combat Piracy
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Date
2025
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Publisher
Keio University
Abstract
The ”Fanous” ecosystem model aims to legitimize fansubbing and combat piracy
by integrating unofficial fansubbers with legal streaming services. The model
enhances the viewing experience and provides fansubbers with opportunities for
sustainable income, contributing to the growth of a legal anime ecosystem and
helping reduce piracy globally.
Positive feedback indicates the model’s potential to combat piracy and support
legal fansubbing. The model has received strong support from fans and fansubbers,
despite the need for some improvements. Distributors and streaming services
are optimistic about collaborating with fansubbers under more regulated terms,
while intellectual property holders have expressed openness to working through
intermediaries to ensure quality and compliance.
Despite its potential, the model faces limitations such as resistance from piracy site
users, web browser-only support, and advancements in AI translation. Addressing
these limitations involves future works to improve ad-free alternatives to attract
users, integrate the model with streaming services, and research on using AI to
enhance translations while preserving the role of human fansubbers.
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Keywords
anime, intellectual property, streaming service, fansubbing, piracy